The next weekend Rose was filled with dread. If only she hadn't been intoxicated with wine and Emmet, then she wouldn't have agreed to meet Tarquin. She knew it would end badly when Hyacinth found out. She just didn't envisage it ending up as ghastly as it did.

It began well, they started with a tour of Sheridan's University and the student house he shared with Tarquin and a few others. Richard hadn't been to the house before as Sheridan did not want his mother showing him up. Both Richard and Rose approved of the lodgings. Sheridan then took his aunt to the embroidery workroom to measure her up for the dress she would model and the end of term show. Rose was in her element. In another life she could have been a model. Just as she got with Boris a photographer had approached her about possibly coming to London once she was 17 to do some photo shoots for a glossy magazine. Unfortunately she spent the first few months of her seventeenth year in a hospital bed and the idea of being a model had disappeared.

Sheridan and Rose then met up with Richard by the hotel restaurant where they had agreed to meet Tarquin.

Both Rose and Richard agreed he was a nice boy. He was kind, amusing and could hold a conversation. Both could see he was deeply in love with Master Bucket. Sheridan was moved when his father told him he was happy for him and approved of Tarquin. He promised him not to worry and than he would talk to his mother when he got home. Sheridan was also pleased his favourite auntie had given Tarquin her highest accolade, describing him as dishy.

After the meal which as a surprise to Richard the boys paid for, Richard and Rose left. Richard wanted to hit the road as the drive back was long. Plus he wanted to get the hardest part of this out the way. He needed to tell Hyacinth. The boys retired to the bar after saying goodbye and Richard took Rose's arm as they left the hotel.

"Well I think that went really well, Tarquin seems like a lovely lad." Rose said to her brother-in-law.

"Yes, I can't deny they both seem very happy. I just hope Hyacinth sees it that way." Richard sighed.

"I'm sure she will. She might just need a bit of time to get used to it. She loves Sheridan more than anything. She will want him to be happy. Are you sure you don't want me to tell her with you?"

"I do hope she sees it that way Rose, I really do. Thank you but I think this is something I need to do by myself. Just back me up that he's happy if she speaks to you about it."

"Of course I will Richard." Smiled his sister-in-law.

Richard felt so relieved he hugged Rose and kissed her on the cheek before they headed to the car. Unbeknownst to the pair Sonia Barker-Finch and her husband had been enjoying a few days away and by chance had seen the cosy embrace. Hyacinth's arch rival smirked with joy as she reached for her disposable camera and snapped them innocently kissing. She then quickly made her way to the nearest telephone box.

Hyacinth Bucket would never forget the fateful phone that caused her world to start falling down rapidly around her.

She was startled and unnerved when she received a call from Mrs Barker-Finch. She said she felt obliged as a neighbour to inform her that she had just caught Richard stumbling out of a hotel with a blonde woman who was dressed like a 'lady of the night.' When Sonia Barker-Finch had said where this particular hotel was located she knew it had to be Richard. They had many meals there as a family when collecting Sheridan from university. As Hyacinth always wanted to eat somewhere classy and Sheridan never seemed keen showing his parents where he boarded. The other woman's description had to be Rose. Hyacinth had always thought her husband had a soft spot for his sister-in-law. All men had a soft spot for Rose, after all. If it hadn't been for Mrs Barker-Finch threatening to develop photographs of Richard's illicit moments, Hyacinth wouldn't have believed it. If only she hadn't been so preoccupied with tonight's candlelight supper, she would have gone with Richard to deliver Sheridan back to university.

Immediately after thrusting the receiver of her white slimline telephone down, she rang Daisy.

"Daisy dear, may I speak with Rose?" Hyacinth asked sounding slightly panicked.

"I'm sorry our Hyacinth, Rose has gone out with a gentleman friend. I'm not sure when she will be back." Lied her sister. Daisy knew exactly where Rose was.

"Did Rose say with which gentleman friend she would be with?"

"She didn't, sorry Hyacinth. You know our Rose, she either tells you far too much information or nothing at all, depending on which gentleman she's with."

"Not, not to worry Daisy, you've been most helpful dear. Thank you." Hyacinth replied, the panic in her voice became more obvious to her sister.

"Are you alright Hyacinth? Can I help with anything?" Daisy asked, sounding concerned for her sister.

"Oh never better Daisy. Never better. No I'm perfectly alright. Besides you've enough troubles of your own to contend with."

"Such as what?"

"Well, being married to Onslow for a start and not to mention poor daddy. How is dear brave daddy?"

"I like being married to Onslow." She replied defensively. "Daddy's fine." She added abruptly.

"Good, I really must take him out soon. Daddy that is, not Onslow. Goodbye Daisy dear. Goodbyeee." She said shrilly. Putting the phone down before Daisy had chance to reply.

Hyacinth decided to call Violet and ask for her advice after all she was always listening to Violet and her marital woes. It was about time she returned the favour.

Richard accepted Rose's invitation of a cup of tea once they arrived back on the council estate. He wasn't quite ready to pluck up the courage of telling Hyacinth about Sheridan just yet. Besides unlike his wife, he enjoyed the company of his in-laws. They were both surprised to see Violet's Mercedes parked in the turning circle at the top end of the close.

Rose and Richard were unnerved to find a stern looking Daisy and Violet waiting in the sitting room as they entered the dingy room.

"Who's died?" Rose asked nervously as her sisters looked at her with worried expressions. She was expecting some bad news about her elderly father.

"You two if you don't tell our Hyacinth the truth about our Sheridan." Daisy replied.

"You what? You mean she knows?" Richard cried in desperation.

"She's been told there's photographic proof. You two better get round there pronto and tell her the real reason you were seen." Violet continued.

Without saying another word Rose followed Richard to his car. They both knew whatever happened this wouldn't end well.

During the short journey to the 'Bouquet' residence Rose did her best to reassure Richard it would be alright. They both knew that with Hyacinth's tendency to overreact it wouldn't be as easy as Rose was making out.

Once they arrived, they both stood on the doorstep looking like lambs off to slaughter. It was times like this Richard wished he had stood his ground and had a key to his own house.

Hyacinth answered the door without saying a single word. She just glared at her husband and youngest sister before they followed her in. Both removed their shoes without being prompted to.

All three stood in the lounge. No one daring to be the first to speak.

"I guess we owe you an explanation, our Hyacinth. It's not what you think." Rose finally said, Richard nodded in agreement.

"Yes I think you owe me that at least."

"You should probably sit down, Hyacinth. " Richard tried.

"No. I can take whatever you have to say. I'm assuming you did all the chasing." She said looking disapprovingly at Rose. "Though I very much doubt you needed any encouragement. We all know you like Rose." She said turning to her husband, fiddling with her pearls.

"Do you really think that little of me? Your own sister? Hyacinth I may be a lot of things and yes I do have a habit of going after married men. But I would never betray my own sister!" Rose shouted.

"Hyacinth, I've never been unfaithful to you. Do you think that little of me, also?"

"Well what do you expect me to think when Mrs Barker-Finch calls out of the blue and says she's got a photograph she can develop of my husband kissing a blonde wearing a mini-skirt?!"

"Hyacinth this isn't Rose's fault. If it hadn't been for Sheridan-"

"Don't you dare bring my Sheridan into this, Richard Bucket." The woman was so enraged she didn't even correct herself after calling Richard by his real surname.

"Oh for once in your life will you shut up and listen Hyacinth?!" Rose snapped.

Stunned into science Hyacinth turned to her husband and just for once she actually listened.

"The reason Rose came with me to take Sheridan back to university was because he asked her too. Firstly to help with his project but more importantly because-" he stopped not knowing how to continue. Rose nodded to Richard, encouraging him to carry on.

"You know how Sheridan has never shown any interest in girls?" He tried.

"Yes he is there to study. Besides he and his friend Tarquin said they weren't interested."

"Well that's why. Sheridan didn't know how to tell him yourself so he invited us to meet Tarquin first."

"But why would he not want me to meet his friend, Richard?"

Richard paused for a second. His voice began to quiver as he attempted to tell his wife.

Sensing he was struggling Rose took charge, "because they are more than just friends, that's why."

"Rose dear, I don't know what you mean?"

"Oh, we mean that Tarquin is our Sheridan's fella. In the same way Richard is yours."

Colour drained from Hyacinth's face. She managed to collapse into the settee before slumping. Richard rushed to be next to his wife and help her sit up.

"No, I don't believe you! How dare you cast vile accusations about my son!"

"Hyacinth, Rose is telling you the truth." Richard pleaded.

"I understand it is hard to take in but it's not a crime anymore and Sheridan is happy. Tarquin seems like a nice lad." Rose tired.

"You think every member of the male sex is nice. Ye gods! I wish you had been having an affair with my husband, it would have been easier to deal with. Get out Rose! I don't ever want to see you again!"

Rose understood her sister was in shock and saw herself out of the house. Whilst walking down the drive she lit a cigarette and looked across to Emmet's house, hoping he might have been outside. No such luck.